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Objective To examine postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) trends in Sweden using the Robson classification system. Design Population-based cohort study. Setting Sweden. Population Deliveries in 2000-2016, classified as Robson groups 1-5 (singleton pregnancies in vertex presentation, from gestational weeks 37+0; n = 1 590 178). Methods We examined temporal trends in PPH between 2000 and 2016 overall, and within each Robson group, and performed logistic regression to examine the influence of changes in risk factors (maternal, comorbidity, obstetric practice and infant factors) over time. Main outcome measures Postpartum haemorrhage, defined as an estimated blood loss of >1000 ml. Results The overall PPH rate increased from 5.4 to 7.3%, corresponding to a 37% (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.32-1.42) increase over time. Rates varied between Robson groups, ranging from 4.5% in group 3 to 14.3% in group 4b. Increasing trends in PPH were found in all Robson groups except for groups 2b and 4b (prelabour caesarean deliveries). In the unstratified analysis, adjusting for maternal, comorbidity and obstetric practice factors slightly attenuated the risk of PPH in the later period (2013-2016), compared with the reference period (2000-2004; crude OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.24-1.29, adjusted OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.20-1.25). Within individual Robson groups, changes in risk factors did not explain increasing rates of PPH. Conclusions Postpartum haemorrhage rates varied between Robson groups. Changes in risk factors could not explain the 37% increase in PPH for women in Robson groups 1-5 in Sweden, 2000-2016. Tweetable abstract Changes in risk factors could not explain the increasing trend of PPH in Sweden, and rates of PPH varied widely between Robson groups.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess caesarean section (CS) rates before and after the implementation of the Project Appropriate Birth (PPA), based on the Robson ten group classification system. DESIGN A before-and-after study. SETTING Maternity hospital in South Brazil. POPULATION All pregnant women attending from April 2016 to April 2017 (period 1, pre-implementation of PPA) and from June 2017 to June 2018 (period 2, post-implementation of PPA). METHODS Maternal and obstetric characteristics were evaluated, including Robson's classification, based on the characteristics of pregnancy and childbirth. A chi-square test and crude and adjusted relative rates were used to analyse the study variables. The significance level was set at 5%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The CS rate for each group, their contribution to the overall CS rate and the differences in these contributions before and after PPA implementation. RESULTS The CS rates decreased from 62.4 to 55.6%, which represented a 10.9% reduction after the implementation of the PPA. Pregnant women in Robson classification groups 1-4 had a 21.4% reduction in CS rates, ranging from 49.1 to 38.6%. The greatest contributors to the overall CS rates were group 5 and group 2, accounting for more than 60% of the CS deliveries. CONCLUSION The study results suggest that Project Appropriate Birth had an impact on the reduction of CS rates, especially in Robson classification groups 1 through 4, which indicates that providing mothers with evidence-based interventions for labour and childbirth assistance contributed to reduce CS rates. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT The Project Appropriate Birth is an innovative project that has demonstrated promising results, suggesting that interventions based on scientific evidence can lead to real changes in childbirth care, contributing to reduce CS rates. The aim of the PPA is to promote activities to improve childbirth care and encourage vaginal delivery. In this study, 6238 pregnant women admitted to the hospital for delivery were included and classified into one of the Robson 10-group classification. Findings revealed a 10.9% reduction in the overall CS rate and a 21.4% reduction for pregnant women in Robson classification groups 1 through 4, after the implementation of the PPA.